With his arms sprawled wide and his mouth open, it was hard to believe the boy had suffered so much recently. Although judging by his lack of hysterics, Rhydian had a feeling the boy didn’t truly understand that his parents weren’t coming back.
His dragon spoke up. We will look after him.
Only until I can find a relative. The boy mentioned his human aunt a few times. She may be his best chance at a normal life with someone who wants him.
I want him.
He’s not a pet that we can keep, dragon. Rian deserves someone who understands children and can raise him. I, on the other hand, can barely keep this clan together.
That’s only because you ignored my suggestions. The old ways are fading. We need to be like Stonefire.
He hated to admit that the bloody English dragon clan was leading the way with change. More like we need to be like the Welsh clans of old, when they helped lead the way among dragon-shifters in this region of the world.
Until the humans known as the Normans came and hunted us.
Both human and dragon-shifter had been hit hard by the Norman Conquest and ensuing castle-slash-fortification building that began in Wales during the 11th century. Unless the dragon hunters become more organized and formidable, we don’t have to worry about anyone else conquering our country. Rian rolled over in his sleep, garnering Rhydian’s attention once more. All that matters is creating a better future for the children. Now, let me get to work.
His beast retreated to the back of his mind.
Rhydian sat at his desk and brought up his video conference program. Trahern Lewis was due to call with an update in the next few minutes, regarding any new information about the drugs used on Delia and the others. While he had a feeling Trahern’s report wasn’t going to be good, Rhydian wasn’t about to worry more than he had to. Besides, worry was a distraction he couldn’t afford at the moment.
Rhydian eyed the stack of papers that his trusted Protector Wren had given him. Each packet represented a Protector who Wren believed wasn’t as loyal to Snowridge as they were to themselves. Replacing them was going to be difficult since each Protector needed two years with the British Army before joining the Protector ranks, according to formal agreements made with the Department of Dragon Affairs.
He wished there was a way to streamline the process, but even Rhydian understood the value of time spent in the army. Not only for the chance to work with and understand humans, but to also learn tactics the Snowridge Protectors might not know about.
He might just have to take up Bram’s offer to loan him a few of his Protectors for a while, and maybe take on a few from the Scottish clan as well.
If Rhydian had been looking for change, inviting the English and Scottish dragons to live with his clan definitely fit the bill.
But before he did that, he would find Rian’s aunt and finish his draft of the new clan charter. The rules would no longer be vague regarding humans and other clans. It was time to open his clan’s eyes to more of the world. Their remote location would no longer protect them in the ever-shrinking technological world.
Just as he began reading the first possible troublemaker’s file, his video conference application chimed. He quickly hit Receive and Trahern’s brown-eyed, black-haired form came online. Having known the male since he was a baby, Rhydian dispensed with formalities. “What new information d
o you have?”
Trahern didn’t hesitate with his reply. “We’re still waiting on a few test results, but I’m almost positive that the formula you provided is nearly a match for what was found in Killian O’Shea’s body.”
“But not the same as what was used on Dr. Sid and others on Stonefire?”
“It’s not a completely different composition, but more elements match Killian’s case. I should have the exact chemical make up of the samples tomorrow.”
“While I appreciate your quick work on this, Trahern, I’m hoping you have something that can help the children who were targeted and pumped full of these drugs.”
“Until I have the exact chemical makeup, I’m uncomfortable suggesting anything.”
Rhydian growled, “Doctor Davies, if you’re there, speak up.”
The slightly plump face of Dr. Emily Davies came on screen. While she had never been welcome on Snowridge in the past, Rhydian had become familiar with the Welsh human’s work on Stonefire recently. She said, “Trahern’s right to wait for the results.”
“I sense a ‘but,’ Doctor Davies.”
To her credit, the human took her time adjusting her glasses before saying anything. It seemed she’d grown accustomed to dragon-shifter dominance. “The moss we used here on Dr. Sid and the others can’t hurt. Even if it’s ineffective against the new compound, it’s harmless to all dragon-shifters.”
“What about half dragon-shifters?”
Dr. Davies leaned forward. “There was a half-human child? Why did no one mention this?” She looked to Trahern. “Did you know about this?”
“I only know what was in the records,” Trahern stated off-screen. “The full results tomorrow will reveal their genetics.”